Randomly interrupted breathing device

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for randomly varying the breathing resistance applied to human and animal subjects to improve their performance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to our co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.11/845,916, entitled PORTABLE BREATHING DEVICE, which was filed on Aug.28, 2007, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,360,061 on Jan. 29, 2013 andwhich is assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable breathing device forproviding resistance and intra-trachea bronchial percussion on breathingin and breathing out to increase pulmonary efficiency while improvingcilial movement which assists mobilisation of intrabronchial mucous orsecretions within the lung. It can be used for increasing breathingefficiency and for training athletes and also in the treatment ofmedical conditions related to weak breathing.

Patent Application WO 03/077823 discloses a breathing device having anair flow interruption means connected to the breathing means, whichcauses a regular periodic interruption to air flowing through theinterruption means to the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,141 discloses a breathing device which incorporatesa pair of rotating cylinders which interrupt the flow of air to a userof the device.

In these breathing devices there is a mouthpiece which can fit over themouth and/or nose of a user so that a user breathes through themouthpiece. This mouthpiece is preferably connected to the interruptionmeans, e.g. by a conduit, or is directly attached to the interruptionmeans. The interruption means is normally a valve and produces regularperiodic interruptions to the flow of air reaching the mouthpiece beingbreathed by a user.

In these devices the frequency of opening and closing the valve is setwhen the device is turned on and, although the frequency can be variedeach time it is used, there is no means of varying the frequency of theopening and closing of the valve whilst the device is being operated.

For training athletes and animals, we have found users can becomeaccustomed to regular interruption of their breathing which can preventfurther improvement.

We have now devised an improved method of improving breathingperformance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a breathing device whichcomprises:

an air inlet;

an air outlet through which a user breathes;

a conduit connecting the air inlet and outlet;

an air flow interruption means positioned in the conduit so that airentering through the inlet and inhaled by the user can be interrupted bythe interruption means; and in which device there are means to vary thefrequency of interruption of the flow of air through the conduit.

The device can be used for training purposes such as for an athlete orsportsperson or anyone who wants to improve their breathing. It is wellknown that improving the breathing of a person can increase their lungcapacity and the rate of oxygenation of their muscles, which will resultin improved performance. This applies similarly to animals including, ofcourse, racehorses and racing dogs.

The invention also provides a method of training by controlling thebreathing by interrupting the inhalation and exhalation of the person oranimal being trained at a frequency which varies preferably during use.

Preferably the frequency can be varied randomly.

The interruption means may be a valve mechanism, such as a reed or otheroscillating valve system, with the air passing through the valvemechanism being interrupted by a mechanically or electrically controlledvalve mechanism.

The frequency of the interruptions to the flow of air is preferably inthe range of 5 to 100 Hz, for example 10 to 50 Hz, typically 20 Hz. Thismeans that the flow of air through the interruption means is interruptedat this frequency. It has been discovered that the muscles involved indifferent regions of the respiratory system are strengthened bydifferent interruption frequencies. Typically the diaphragm may bestrengthened the more by an interruption cycle of the order of 5 Hzwhile for upper respiratory areas 20 Hz to 30 Hz may be the moreappropriate. Variability in the interruption rate may accordingly bedesirable. This can be obtained by interchangeability of the valves orvariability of the speed of operation. Random variation can enhance thestrengthening of any of the muscles in the respiratory system.

The air outlet can incorporate a mouthpiece which can fit over the mouthand/or nose of a user so that a user breathes through the mouthpiece andthis mouthpiece is connected to the valve in the conduit. The mouthpiecemay be detachable so that the user may use different forms thereof, orto suit different users, or for cleaning or maintenance (replacement)purposes.

A preferred valve is a motor driven rotary valve and the frequency ofthe interruptions to the airflow is controlled by the speed of rotationof the motor. There is preferably a control system which randomlychanges the speed of rotation of the motor; such systems arecommercially available.

A suitable valve is a rotary valve comprising:

a housing containing a fluid flow path with a central axis;

a plug having a sealing face cooperating with a valve seat in saidhousing in the closed position to block the fluid flow path; and

a support shaft arranged to carry said plug and being rotatable on anaxis which is normal to and spaced from the axis of said valve seat andlocated outside of the flow path so that rotation of the said shaftmoves said plug relative to said housing.

The axis of the plug need not be outside the flow path, but preferablythe bearings and shape of the port do not occlude the fluid path. Theplug axis may located at an offset which may also be arranged to beadjusted for different effects.

The distance between the axis of the support shaft of the plug means andaxis of the fluid flow path is herein called “the offset”.

In one arrangement, when the closed or sealing face of the plug ispresented in the bore, flow is totally occluded whilst a 180 degreesrotation of the rotary valve will present a completely open apertureallowing full flow through the valve assembly without obstruction, dueto the operating mechanism of the valve. The plug preferably has a planeface and, in the open position, this plane is contiguous with the sideof the fluid flow path for smooth flow down the fluid flow path.

The plug means is preferably substantially cylindrical or spherical andhas a radius larger than the diameter of the flow path; however thecross-section of the plug may deviate from strict circularity.

If the offset and plug diameter are increased while the width of thesealing face of the plug is maintained as equivalent to the borediameter, a shorter angular opening period is provided for any givenrotational speed, which can prove useful if a specific mechanicaltiming/angular relationship is desired between the valve assembly andthe drive mechanism rotating the plug to operate the valve.

A further increase in the plug diameter and its locating bore canprovide a closure seat in the flow-bore for even better sealingcharacteristics due to the overlap of position with a small overlap atthe edges of the plug and the housing to ensure good sealing in thisposition.

By introducing variations in the relationship between the width of thesealing face of the plug, port diameter and valve offset, a variety ofdifferent conditions may be created to suit the specific applicationrequirement.

The valve offset, diameter and position provide for good sealing whenclosed, zero flow occlusion when open, and the ability to use amotor-gearbox speed reduction that is half that which is otherwiserequired with an on-axis rotary valve.

By presenting the sealing face of the plug in the flow path once in eachrevolution, motor speeds are doubled for any given flow pulse rate whencompared to conventional on-axis designs which close the valve twice ineach revolution; this causes less low-speed motor torque problems.

Another type of valve comprises a solenoid driven diaphragm placed inthe air flow path driven by an electronic pulse the frequency of whichcan be varied randomly by use of a software or firmware program orelectronic hardware circuit to provide a method of opening and closureof the diaphragm and thus provide a constantly changing or set ofperiodically changing occlusions. In this instance, as in othersdescribed herein, the facility of variable frequency may be a featureadditional to the provision of non-variability.

Another type of valve is a diaphragm or mechanical port which may beopened and closed by action of a piezo actuator device which is drivenby an electronic pulse which frequency can be varied randomly by use ofa software or firmware program or electronic hardware circuit to providea method of opening and closure of the diaphragm and thus provide aconstantly changing or set of periodically changing occlusions.

Another way of accomplishing varying valve operation is to employ two ormore motors, each driving its own valve. These may be in series orparallel. One valve may be at a constant speed and the other varying orboth may vary at different rates. Holding one frequency constant, by forexample using a fixed DC drive voltage, and sweeping a second motorcontrol voltage gives a pulse sequence with a huge range of harmonics.

By randomly varying the frequency of the air interruption, improvedtraining results are obtained.

In yet another way of accomplishing varying breathing interruption is toemploy a valve comprising two discs, at least one of which can berotated relative to the other, with one of the discs having at least onevoid therethrough and the other having a plurality of voids therethough,the discs being positioned in the air flow so that, as at least one ofthe discs rotates relative to the other disc; the voids in the two discsare periodically coincident so as to form a continuous air flow passage.Interchangeability of at least one of the discs can enable bothnon-variability and different variabilities in the device.

In addition to a rotating, oscillating or other pulse inducing valve,the main fluid bore diameter may be selected to provide a smallbackground resistance level conducive to the described training effectsand upon which the pulsed resistance is superimposed.

The level of background resistance may be varied by a variety of valvearrangements, including a rotary cut-off valve, a disc valve withdifferent selectable apertures, a variable position diaphragm valve, aneedle valve, or fixed smaller-bore (relative to main fluid flow boresize) inserted plug. This plug may be manufactured from an elastomericmaterial dimensioned such that a deformable outer profile can grip theinternal walls of the main fluid flow. So that it may be easily insertedand retained, the small bore plug may be supplied with a variety ofdifferent internal bore sizes to set different background resistancevalues as required.

The device can be used for training of athletes for which purpose thedevice may be adapted to be worn or otherwise carried on the personwhilst exercising, e.g. on a treadmill, rowing machine or other machineor running on an athletics track. It can be quite compact, havingdimensions of the order of 10 cm by 8 cm by 4 cm.

Usually the motor means is a rotary motor powered by a battery, whichmay be a rechargeable battery. Mains power may alternatively be used.The motor means may in another embodiment be a hand driven clockworkmotor, or a hand drive may be incorporated to charge a battery for abattery driven motor. In yet another embodiment the motor means is abreath driven rotary vane, the vane carrying a magnet which, inco-operation with a static magnet mounted in the device, provides thevalve by virtue of the user breathing alternately with and against themagnetic attraction of the two magnets. Any of these three devices maybe constructed as integral units, that is to say without a detachablehead.

In addition, the device can provide diaphragm muscle toning andenhancement induced by working the muscles such as those used forinspiration and exhalation against both the fixed resistance andsuperimposed pulsed occlusion provided by the valve and fitted noserestrictor and chosen bore diameter.

Taking deep breaths while performing little physical movement causes asuperfluous amount of oxygen to be made available. Because the largemuscular tissue is not consuming the oxygen, an increased oxygen supplyis made available for many other body systems, such as the brain and theheart.

Forcible and prolonged inspiration and expiration causes a greaterexpansion and collapse of the air vesicles (alveoli), especially thosedeep in the lung tissue. By providing resistance to inspiration andexpiration, pulmonary muscles are strengthened and developed, therebyallowing a freer and greater exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.Persons suffering from lung ailments, healthy persons, and athletes canall improve their pulmonary efficiency through forcible and prolongedinspiration and expiration against resistance.

Randomly varying the frequency of the resistance to inspiration andexpiration enhances these effects.

The device may incorporate means for providing the user and or histrainer with performance information, the means perhaps including datagathering sensors, storage and data processing devices and a displaymonitor.

Studies have demonstrated that vibration stimulation and breathingmaneuvers can give a five-fold increase in generalised neuroendocrineresponse (Djarova et al 1986 and Bosco et al 2000). Devices inaccordance with the present invention will cause a change in the releaseof hormones cortisol and growth hormone and accordingly resultperformance gains in strength, sprint and power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A randomly interrupted breathing device in accordance with the inventionwill now be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the arrangement of a valve within a conduit with inlet andoutlet;

FIG. 2 shows a vertical cross section of a rotary valve configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a detachable head device incorporating a rotary valveconfiguration;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a diaphragm solenoid valve controlledrandom vibration handset;

FIG. 5 is a schematic part view of a double motor device with valves inseries;

FIG. 6 is a schematic part view of a double motor device with valves inparallel;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a basic monitoring sensor facility;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a monitoring sensor facility incorporatingfeedback;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a complete monitoring facility;

FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c illustrate valve plugs with differing chords;

FIG. 11 is a graph of the effects of varying the form of the face of thevalve plug;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side section of an alternative head;

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan section of the alternative head illustratedin FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates manually operable device;

FIG. 15 illustrates a clockwork device; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a device employing magnets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 there is a fluid flow conduit 10 provided at aninlet 11 end thereof with a restrictor 12 to provide a backgroundbreathing resistance when in use and having a mouthpiece end 13. A valve14 is placed in series in the conduit 10 to provide a pulsed resistance.A control circuit device, not shown, controls the frequency of operationof the valve and is capable of randomly changing the timing of the valveclosure. Vibration frequencies between 5 Hz and 100 Hz have been foundto provide best results in terms of beneficial lung and diaphragmdevelopment to improve oxygen uptake and waste gas removal in humansubjects.

The valve 14 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 which depicts thevalve in a detachable head device, the complete device being illustratedin FIG. 3 and described in co-pending UK patent application 0617349.6(corresponding to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/845,916,entitled PORTABLEBREATHING DEVICE, filed on even date), the specification of which isincorporated by reference herein. In particular, FIG. 3 illustrates amouthpiece 17 and an inlet 18, linked by a conduit 21, through which auser can breathe. Flexible flaps 19 carry lugs 20 for a snap fit. Alsoshown is a drive shaft 25. There is a valve body with a closed face 14 aand a relieved face 14 b supported on a shaft 14 c and offset and normalto the conduit axis by a distance (xii).

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 comprises a handsetconsisting of two body halves 30 a, 30 b which retain a solenoiddiaphragm valve 31. The valve is connected to a mouthpiece 32 via ashort tube 33 and a push-fit union 34. Two screws clamp the body halves30 a, 30 b together. Control and power cables (not shown) exit from thesolenoid valve through an aperture 35 in the lower sections of the bodyhalves which are strain relieved by clamps secured by fasteners 36. Anexternal power source provides a series of random pulses to the solenoidvalve which opens and closes an internal diaphragm superposed in thefluid flow path. A user breathing through the mouthpiece may inhale orexhale and through the action of the small tube 33 experience aresistance to breathing. In addition to this fixed resistance, therandom opening and closing of the valve provides a further pulsedrestriction in fluid flow that provides a random addition load duringthe inhale/exhale breathing cycle.

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 has a mouthpiece 117and an inlet 118 linked by a conduit 121. Across the conduit are tworotary valves 130, 140 in series. The valves are driven by motors 131,141 respectively. The motor 131 is arranged to operate at constant speedwhile the motor 141 is arranged to operate at a constantly varyingspeed. The valves 131, 141 are constructed to occlude airflow for a verysmall arc of their rotation to arrive at an acceptable base flowocclusion. By this arrangement a considerable variation of occlusionrate is obtained.

The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 has a mouthpiece 217with two associated inlets 218, 218 a linked by parallel conduits 221,221 a. Across each conduit 221, 221 a is a valve 230, 240 driven bymotors 231, 241 respectively. The motor 231 is arranged to operate atconstant speed while the motor 241 is arranged to operate at aconstantly varying speed.

The motors 131, 141, 231, 241 are conventional DC brush motors andgearboxes permit the valves to rotate at speeds considerably lower thanthe motors. Stepper motors could be employed instead.

The device incorporates means for monitoring and analysing a user'sperformance. A simple such means is illustrated in FIG. 7 which shows aconduit 100 having an inlet 101, a mouthpiece 102 and a valve 107. Thesecorrespond to the conduit 10, inlet 11, mouthpiece 13 and valve 14described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Exterior to the conduitis an ambient sensor 103 of temperature and pressure. Inside the conduit100, inboard of the mouthpiece 102, is a “user side” sensor 104 oftemperature and pressure. Inside the conduit 100, just inboard of theinlet 101, is an inlet sensor 105 of temperature and pressure. The threesensors are connected to a data processor 106. The sensors 103, 104, 105may also detect relative humidity.

FIG. 8 illustrates means such as that described above with reference toFIG. 7 but incorporating a feedback facility 108.

FIG. 9 illustrates a number of different ways in which output from thedata processor 106 can be utilised. An on-board display or warningdevice 109 provides real time performance information to the user, hismedical adviser or his trainer. An on-board data storage device 110stores performance data for recordal and subsequent analysis. A remotedata storage, processing, viewing management and control system 111 isassociated with the data processor 106 either via cable 112 or wireless(radio, infra-red, blue tooth) link 113.

FIGS. 10a, 10b, 10c illustrate schematically valve plugs with differentdegrees of “cut-away”. In FIG. 10a , most of the valve is “cut away” andthe axis of rotation of the plug 300 lies within the boundaries of theconduit 301. This construction is produced by having a base to the plug,not shown, disposed beneath the conduit and associated with a driveshaft. Its effect is to produce a large valve opening time in relationto closed time, per revolution. In FIG. 10b the plug axis is tangentialto the conduit boundary, approximately half the cylinder forming thevalve is “cut away” and valve open and closed times per revolution areapproximately equal. In FIG. 10c the plug axis is outside the conduitand less than half the cylinder forming the valve is “cut away”. In thiscase during each revolution the valve is closed for longer than it isopen.

Of course the face of the valve does not have to be planar and somemodification of the airflow waveform can be obtained by varying it. FIG.11 compares the effects of a face which is somewhat concave or somewhatconvex compared to one which is planar. The planar face valve defines aflow variation which is substantially sinusoidal. A concave facegenerates a shallower rate of area presentation while a concave facewill cause an earlier start to the cut-off and a gentler rate of openingnear to maximum.

Another embodiment of the device, a disc valve version, is illustratedin FIGS. 12 and 13. The head 400 defines a conduit in two parts 401 a,401 b having an inlet 402 and a mouthpiece 403. The axes of the twoparts of the conduit are offset and parallel. Between them is sited adisc valve 404 mounted on a drive shaft 405 and a co-operating valvebase plate 406. As shown the valve 404 and the base plate 406 areirregularly foraminous. A variety of forms of perforation of the valve404 and the plate 406 are possible. Different shapes of the cut away andthe holes (or slots) will vary the airflow wave form. Thus aninterchangeable set of discs may be provided with one apparatus,including a disc in which the perforations are regularly spaced or evenone having the one perforation. In this way the device can progressivelystrengthen muscles throughout the respiratory system.

Alternative embodiments of the invention incorporate an adjustable speedcontrol. In one of these this adjustment is arranged for control by theuser; in another, once initiated it is arranged for periodic speedvariation and in another for random speed variation. These facilitiesare particularly valuable in training athletes and animals used insport.

Normally in the hand-held device envisaged the power to drive the motoris from a battery incorporated in the base of the device, which may berechargeable. Mains power may alternatively be employed. In anotheralternative a power storage unit is employed whence the electricity isderived by turning a handle manually.

The device illustrated in FIG. 14 comprises a housing 500 incorporatinga mouthpiece 501 to a conduit 502 and an inlet 503. A hand squeeze lever504 is associated with a one-way drive mechanism plus flywheel andgearing (not shown). The lever 504 has radial gear teeth near a pivotend thereof, which teeth engage with a gear on a shaft through a pawland ratchet or other one-way drive mechanism. A roughly 30 degreeangular movement caused by squeezing the lever 504 rotates the shaftabout four times. Via the gearing the flywheel is rotated ten times foreach shaft rotation and this gives a reasonably steady speed. Theflywheel is associated with a disc valve having irregularly spacedvoids.

The device illustrated in FIG. 15 comprises a housing 600 to a conduithaving an inlet 601 and a mouthpiece 602. There is shown a stowablewind-up handle 603 and an on-off button 604. Inside the housing and notshown is a wind-up spring, a speed governor in the form of a sprung bobweight and a gear mechanism. The gear mechanism in turn operates a discvalve having irregularly spaced voids. The gear mechanism operates toreduce the valve opening and closing cycle to the order of 20 Hz. Thedevice is openable to enable discs of different perforation pattern tobe exchanged therein.

Shown in FIG. 16 is a rotary vane 700 in a housing 701, the housinghaving an inlet 702 and a mouthpiece 703. Set around the vane in anirregular array are a plurality of magnets 704 in the form offerromagnetic discs while in the housing 701 is mounted a co-operatingstatic magnet 705. In this case the co-operation of the rotating magnets704 on the one hand and the static magnet 705 on the other provides theintermittent resistance to the flow of air in the conduit. This devicemay be electric motor driven in which case the housing 701 is preferablya head unit detachable from the power unit. Alternatively it may beclockwork or manual lever driven as per the devices herein describedwith reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

An important feature of the device illustrated in FIG. 16 however isthat it can actually be driven by the respiratory act itself.

The embodiments above described can be compact, with a height of 10 cm,a breadth of 7.5 cm and a thickness of 3.5 cm. They are also robustwithout being cumbersome so that they are particularly portable andsuitable for use by athletes during training.

What is claimed is:
 1. A breathing device comprising: an air inletconfigured to be inhaled through by a user; an air outlet configuredthrough which the user can breathe; a conduit connecting the air inletand the air outlet; a rotary valve positioned in the conduit so that airentering through the air inlet and inhaled by the user can beinterrupted by the rotary valve; and means to rotate the rotary valve;and means to vary the speed of rotation of the rotary valve to vary thefrequency of interruption of the flow of air through the conduit;wherein the frequency of the interruptions to the flow of air is in therange of 5 to 100 Hz.
 2. The breathing device of claim 1 and wherein thefrequency of interruption of the flow of air can be varied randomly. 3.The breathing device of claim 1 and wherein the frequency of theinterruptions to the flow of air is in the range of 10 to 50 Hz.
 4. Thebreathing device of claim 1 and wherein the air outlet incorporates amouthpiece which is configured to fit over the mouth and/or nose of auser so that a user breathes through the mouthpiece.
 5. The breathingdevice of claim 1 and wherein there is a plurality of valves.
 6. Thebreathing device of claim 5 and wherein the said valves are in series.7. The breathing device of claim 5 and wherein the said valves are inparallel.
 8. The breathing device of claim 5 and wherein one valve isoperated at a constant rate and another at a varying rate.
 9. Thebreathing device of claim 1 further comprising a control system whichcan change the speed of rotation of the valve whilst the device is inuse.
 10. The breathing device of claim 9 and wherein the control systemincorporates a random number generator which controls the speed ofrotation of the valves in accordance with the random numbers.
 11. Thebreathing device of claim 1 and wherein the rotary valve comprises; ahousing containing a fluid flow path with a central axis; a plug havinga sealing face cooperating with a valve seat in said housing in theclosed position to block the fluid flow path; and a support shaftarranged to carry said plug and being rotatable on an axis which isnormal to and spaced from the axis of said valve seat so that rotationof the said shaft moves said plug relative to said housing.
 12. Thebreathing device of claim 11 and wherein the valve comprises two discs,with each of the discs defining at least one opening therethrough, thediscs being positioned in the air flow so that at least one of the discscan rotate relative to the other disc whereby the holes in the two discsare periodically coincident so as to form a continuous air flow passage.13. The breathing device of claim 1 and wherein the rotary valvecomprises a rotary vane, a plurality of spaced apart magnets and aco-operating single magnet.
 14. The breathing device of claim 13 andwhich is arranged to be breath driven.
 15. The breathing device of claim1 and which incorporates a battery.
 16. The breathing device of claim 15and wherein the battery is rechargeable.
 17. The breathing device ofclaim 16 and incorporating means to manually charge the battery.
 18. Thebreathing device of claim 1 and which is powered manually.
 19. Thebreathing device of claim 1 and which is clockwork powered.
 20. Thebreathing device of claim 1 and incorporating data monitoring and datagathering sensors.
 21. The breathing device of claim 20 and wherein thesensor measures at least one of pressures, flow rates, adjustment tochanges in the rate of interruption of the flow.
 22. The breathingdevice of claim 20 and having a display screen to display data obtained.23. The breathing device of claim 20 and having means to store the dataobtained electronically.
 24. The breathing device of claim 20 and havingmeans to transmit data obtained to a remote location.
 25. The breathingdevice of claim 1 and having dimensions no greater than 10 cm*8 cm*4 cm.26. The breathing device of claim 1 wherein the frequency ofinterruption of the flow of air through the conduit can be varied whilstthe device is in use.
 27. A method of training a person or animalcomprising interrupting the breathing of the person or animal at afrequency which varies during a training period and wherein controllingof the breathing is carried out by the user breathing in and out througha breathing device as claimed in claim 1.